Vallejo’s Liled’s Candy Kitchen offers candy and memories

VALLEJO – Liled’s Candy Kitchen, a longstanding small business, is nearing its 89th year of operation. Originally founded in 1936 by Lil and Ed Jensen, the shop has become a fixture for residents and visitors alike. In 2021, ownership transitioned to James Holland and his business partner Jose Chavez, marking a new chapter for the historic establishment.

James, who was born and raised in San Jose, developed an early interest in candy-making after visiting a local candy factory as a child. Years later, while living in the Bay Area and attending a junior college to study business basics, he began exploring the idea of starting a freeze-dried candy venture. In his search for a commercial kitchen to produce those candies, he came across Liled’s Candy Kitchen for sale in Vallejo. The discovery brought together his childhood curiosity about confections, his family memories of summer trips to Vallejo’s Six Flags, and his new goal of becoming a small business owner.

“I was looking for a commercial kitchen so I could start making freeze-dried candy,” James said. “When I visited Liled’s and tried the mint fluff, a pecan roll, and a box of chocolates, I realized this place was something special.”

He said the pecan roll stood out in particular. “It sat on my kitchen table, and I sliced a piece off every day with dinner. That’s what convinced me I wanted to be part of this business.”

Since taking ownership, James has aimed to preserve the shop’s traditions while introducing a few new creations of his own. Core recipes such as the pecan roll and caramel remain unchanged from the originals. The store also continues to serve a wide selection of original candies and ice cream flavors, some of which rotate depending on the season and customer demand.

One of James' personal contributions is the strawberry cheesecake meltaway, a product inspired by the shop’s classic mint fluff candy. Made with white chocolate, freeze-dried strawberries, and graham cracker crumbs, the meltaway is topped with milk chocolate and intended to replicate the flavor of a slice of cheesecake.

“It was an idea to expand on what we already had,” Holland explained. “The mint fluff gave me a base to work from.”

Beyond the sweets, elements of the shop’s physical space also maintain a connection to its origins. Among the most visible are the hand-painted rosemaling designs found on the interior beams — rosemaling is a traditional Scandinavian folk art that features flowing floral patterns and intricate brushwork. These designs were painted by Ed Jensen, who was not only a master chocolatier but also a skilled wood craftsman.

“The rosemaling adds character to the shop, and it’s a direct link to the founders,” James said. “We’ve even incorporated the pattern into some of our branding and packaging.”

Community response to the ownership transition has been positive, Holland said. Many longtime customers continue to visit, often bringing stories of past visits or of family traditions that include Liled’s.

“It’s not uncommon to hear someone say, ‘I used to come here with my parents,’ and now they’re bringing in their own kids,” he said. “There’s a real sense of continuity.”

That connection to the community is something James values highly. In the past two years the shop has participated in several small fundraisers and events in collaboration with local organizations. One ongoing partnership is with One People Tribe, a Vallejo-based group that works with youth to develop art and life skills. The group has been responsible for seasonal window paintings at the shop.

“We’ve been working with One People Tribe for about a year now,” James said. “They bring a lot of creativity to our storefront and offer something meaningful to local youth, who are compensated for their work.”

Liled’s has also coordinated with other community groups, including a squad club affiliated with the California Highway Patrol and various local nonprofits, donating products for raffles or events.

While the new owners are still figuring out how to offer community support — like donating treats for raffles or partnering with local organizations — without straining the needs of daily operations, James said building relationships with residents has become a key part of the Liled’s experience.

That sentiment is shared by staff, including Isaiah Smith, a Vallejo native who recently joined the Liled’s team as assistant manager.

“I actually remember coming here as a kid with my grandpa,”  Isaiah said. “Now I’m working behind the counter. It’s kind of surreal.”

Though he’s relatively new to candy-making, Isaiah has already developed a favorite part of the job. “I really like making the chocolate bars,” he said. “You start with nothing, and within an hour, you’ve created something from scratch. It’s a cool process.”

In addition to candies and chocolate, Isaiah said the shop’s ice cream offerings are popular among customers. “We’ve got some unique flavors like Thai tea and ube. The selection is pretty broad. It’s definitely a draw.”

For James, one of the most important goals moving forward is to train the next generation of confectioners. He recently expanded the team and is focused on passing down the skills he’s learned.

“I want my staff to learn how to make the products, not just sell them,” James said. “That’s part of how we ensure Liled’s can continue for years to come.”

Asked what he hopes new customers take away from their visit, James referred to the shop’s slogan: “Teleport your taste buds.”

“Whether it’s a piece of candy or just the experience of stepping into a place that’s been here nearly 90 years,” he said, “we want people to leave with something memorable.”

Liled’s Candy Kitchen is expected to celebrate its 89th anniversary this November. James says there are no major changes planned, just a continued commitment to the recipes, traditions, and community ties that have helped sustain the shop for nearly nine decades.